ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Five Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed and seven others were wounded in an encounter with Army Scout Rangers in Sulu yesterday.
Two soldiers were also wounded in the clash in Barangay Pugad Manaul in Panamao town at around 8 a.m, according to Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief.
Galvez said members of Joint Task Force Sulu initially encountered the bandits led by Alhabsy Misaya, but the militants withdrew.
He said the bandits incurred casualties when they encountered soldiers belonging to the First Infantry Battalion.
Galvez said there is no letup in pursuit operations for the bandits to recover the remaining hostages.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding seven Indonesians, five Malaysians, six Vietnamese, a Dutch, a German, a Korean and six Filipinos.
“We will not stop in our rescue operations. Our units are zeroing in on the location of the victims. I cannot discuss the details due to operational security, but definitely we will rescue the victims,” Galvez said.